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Fascinating People Portraits Peter Worsley |
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On Collecting Art: Only Collect What You Really Like!
Buy art because you like it. Because it moves you. Because it speaks to you. Or because you believe it will enhance your life.
What you like may change with time, but stick with this thought and you will always be comfortable with your collection.
From Linda Mitchel, Journalist: - “ ..... most people buy art quite simply because they fall in love with it.”
“In fact, I couldn't help noticing how people changed when they talked about their (art) collections, eyes and voices softening as they described a beloved piece of art as fondly as if they were speaking of a child or a favorite uncle.”
“This affection was particularly evident when people talked about the first pieces of art they ever acquired.”
“While people rarely regret taking home art they love, they tend to lament the "one that got away," ..... "
"It's not every day that you find a piece you really love, ..... "
"Sometimes relationships with art are like relationships with people. Pieces that really resonate in your heart tend to resonate forever."
"They speak to you of that time when you bought the piece and they contribute to your life like old friends do."
Always Collect Art For Pleasure: - not because it is something is strange, or rare, or “a good investment.”
You have to live with your collection.
Never Expect That You Will Make A Killing - from the appreciation of any art object that you purchase. Do not expect it to become more valuable over time.
You may strike lucky and find some artist whose work later becomes fashionable or popular. Perhaps after they die and everyone knows that there will be no of their art more available.
But it is much more than likely that fashion will change and then nobody wants that artist's work.
If you purchased the artwork because you liked it, proberly you will remain happy.
That First Piece May Well Lead To A Collection: Most collectors never dream that after acquiring their first painting or sculpture, they will acquire more.
Perhaps you acquired your first piece as a spur of the moment purchase.
As you live with your with your first love, you will find yourself seduced by its pleasing and intangible qualities.
That is the time, when you are so profoundly moved, that you will find yourself collecting more.
Once you have made that first choice, you have already begun to turn an interest into a commitment.
Building A Collection: From that small step begins a process of personal development that will parallel the development of your collection.
Your visual perception and emotional responses will be challenged by every other artwork you look at. This will lead to more choices and additions to your collection.
Ideally, you should be open-minded. Your collection should develop as you develop. You are special, so be unique.
Your collection should reflect your personality. Only then will a collection become more than the sum of its parts.
Maybe your collection will add something new to the art world — a new perception, a new approach, a new cultural or educational understanding.
Develop Yourself: The development of your aesthetic judgment can be increased by studying art and cultural history, visiting galleries and museums, acquiring and reading books, and by travel.
Visit as many art galleries as possible. Ask the gallery staff to add you to their mailing list. Also, ask them about their artworks. They maybe helpful in furthering your art education.
When you receive invitations to art openings and receptions, go and talk to the staff and if possible the artists. Let them give you insight into their exhibits and artwork. What inspired them to display or create the work?
Talk with other collectors who are there. Ask them what they have and why they collected their art pieces.
Visit and join local art museums and other art venues. Curators frequently give lectures related to their exhibits. Get onto their mailing lists.
Subscribe to a few art magazines. Read books and articles on art history and on the collections of others. Cautiously read the reviews by art critics – remembering that they often write biased opinions.
Click here for a web link to a few useful other sources of data to assist your collecting.
Some More Advice: As you collect artworks, be sure to gather information about the artists who created them. It will remind you of things to discuss when you show your collection to others. Look at my “About Me” web page.
Most artists have a written Artist's Statement or something similar. You will find many galleries have printed information on their artists.
Search the internet for information about each artist. See if the artists have a website.
Learn of others who collect your artist's work. Watch for exhibits of their work. Get on to mailing lists about their shows.
Show Off Your Collection: Many collectors reframe their artworks to show better in their private gallery.
Artists know that many art buyers will discard the frame that comes with their work. To keep their costs down, often they provide only a basic frame.
The frame supplied may be enough to show the work well, but not enough for you to show it in all its glory on your own gallery walls.
On the other hand, many professional galleries obtain artwork from the artist unframed and proceed to frame each piece to maximize its presentation.
If you still wish to have you collection reframed, often a gallery will arrange for the reframing, or deliver the work unframed at a small cost saving.
Choose your framer as carefully as you would your attorney or tax consultant. You must be certain the framer has the specific skills required to handle your prize artwork.
Ask to see what he has done for others. Be comfortable and ensure that he does not have his latest trainee work on the project.
If you are local to Santa Barbara, contact me, and I may be able to point you towards some reliable sources.
You Are On Your Way: Enjoy the collecting process as well as the art. Best wishes for your exciting journey.
Updated August 2007.